Rescued From Hell… and Finding Sanctuary

In February 2025, WRR joined a national rescue effort to save more than 330 animals from a fur and urine facility one of many unregulated operations still exploiting wild animals in the U.S. Located near Cleveland, Ohio, Grand River Fur Exchange operated in near secrecy—breeding and confining wild animals for their fur, bottling their urine for hunting and trapping lures, and selling them as so-called “pets”.

When the owner of this facility died in late December 2024, the situation spiraled into a full-scale animal welfare crisis. Left without care in the brutal winter, foxes, coyotes, wolf-dog hybrids, raccoons, skunks, pigs, and others were found trapped in deteriorating, wire-bottom cages, many suffering from malnutrition, frostbite, and open wounds. Some had already died from exposure, while others were found still trapped in steel-jaw leghold traps scattered around the property.

Authorities requested the assistance of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to remove the surviving animals and find them placement with wildlife rehabilitation organizations and sanctuaries. As part of this nationwide effort, WRR has taken in 15 skunks, 6 coyotes, and 6 foxes, ensuring they receive immediate medical care, after which they were placed in spacious enclosures.

For More Information

Lynn Cuny, President & Founder
P.O. Box 369, Kendalia TX 78027
Email: lcuny@wildlife-rescue.org
Phone: (830) 336-2725 ext. 309

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A Case That Sparked National Attention

This case has drawn widespread media coverage, exposing the harsh realities of fur and urine industry in the U.S. News outlets across the country have reported on the shocking conditions these animals endured and the total lack of federal protections governing these practices.

While there are no federal welfare laws for animals farmed for their fur, this operation had been subject to inspection by both the USDA and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. In 2011, the USDA fined and prohibited the operator from selling wild animals as “pets”—yet they continued these illegal sales for over a decade with no further enforcement. Documents found at the site also linked it to Fur Harvesters Auction, the last remaining fur auction house in North America, meaning the pelts from this operation were being exported into global fashion markets.

This rescue has provided a rare glimpse inside an industry that operates almost entirely out of public view. The suffering found at this farm is not an anomaly—it is the standard for facilities that engage in this practice.

Follow Their Journey

This page will serve as the central hub for updates on the rescued animals and their ongoing rehabilitation at Wildlife Rescue. You’ll find:

Milestones in their recovery, from their arrival at WRR to veterinary care, temporary housing at our sanctuary and permanent placement into their enclosures.
Photos and videos capturing their transformation—from the conditions they were rescued from to their first moments of relief.
Media coverage and advocacy updates, including press releases, interviews, and ways that you can take action.
Opportunities to help, from sponsoring a rescued animal to supporting legislative efforts that could prevent future cruelty.

This story is still unfolding, and we will continue updating this page as it does. Check back often to see how their lives are changing—and how you can be part of the movement to ensure no other animals suffer the same fate.

Part 1 - The Arrival

The rescued skunks, foxes, and coyotes have now arrived at WRR, leaving behind the confinement and neglect they endured for so long. For the first time, they have space to move, fresh air to breathe, and the opportunity to recover in a safe and supportive environment.

To help them adjust, they are beginning in mid-size acclimation enclosures, where they can safely transition from the extreme confinement they’ve known. These spaces provide them with solid ground, room to move, and exposure to a more natural environment while allowing for veterinary observation and behavioral assessments before they move into their permanent enclosures.

Watch as they take their first steps toward recovery.

In this video, WRR Lead Veterinarian Jessica Khodadad, DVM, explains the conditions they came from—the crowded wire-bottom cages, the lack of food and veterinary care, and the severe stress they endured. She also highlights the importance of this transition period, ensuring they are stable, monitored, and able to adjust to their new environment. You’ll see their arrival at WRR, the careful process of unloading their crates, and their first steps into their acclimation enclosures.

Some move cautiously, pausing to take in their surroundings, while others hesitate, unsure of the open space after a lifetime in confinement. The skunks, foxes, and coyotes each navigate this moment differently—some stepping forward tentatively, others taking time to adjust before emerging from their crates. These moments mark a critical shift—from suffering to care—where each animal begins to regain strength, experience safety, and take their first steps toward a life beyond exploitation.

Part 2- The Horrors

The animals now safe at WRR were not just neglected—they were exploited, confined, and left to suffer in silence. This video, provided by the Humane Society of the United States, documents the grim reality of the Ohio fur and urine “farm” where they were found. It offers an unfiltered look at the very system that shaped their lives before rescue.

Row after row of wire-bottom cages sit exposed to the elements, sunk in snow, with no protection from wind or cold. Each a standalone prison with no bedding, no insulation, and no space. Inside, animals huddled or paced, surrounded by their own feces, their fur matted with filth. Some were injured—missing toes, ears, or limbs likely lost to the steel-jaw traps found throughout the property. Others were visibly malnourished or suffering from untreated infections. The stillness captured in their eyes spoke volumes: a mix of fear, resignation, and years of neglect.

This isn’t an isolated case of cruelty—it is a standard operation within a largely unregulated industry.

Fur and urine “farms” like this exist across the U.S., operating in legal grey areas with minimal oversight. Animals are bred or trapped and kept in confinement for the sole purpose of being exploited and then killed: their urine bottled for use in hunting lures, trapping, and repellents, their pelts sold to fashion markets. Some are sold into the exotic pet trade, despite bans or prior citations. These operations are not required to provide meaningful enrichment, shelter, or medical care. Their purpose is not to care for animals—but to extract from them.

The facility that held the animals now in our care operated just like countless others—without oversight, compassion, or accountability. It had previously been cited and fined, yet continued to operate for years without enforcement. The animals suffered in silence until the death of the operator prompted local authorities to intervene. By the time help arrived, many had already died from exposure or injuries. The survivors—over 330 animals—were removed thanks to a coordinated effort by the Humane Society of the United States and sanctuaries across the country, including WRR.

The animals we took in are no longer trapped. But what they endured—what this footage reveals—should not be forgotten. It is the clearest evidence of what this industry looks like behind closed gates. The individuals now in our care have a long journey ahead. They will live the rest of their lives in sanctuary, as they cannot return to the wild—but they will never again know severe confinement, cruelty, or fear.

Thanks to your support, these individuals now have a second chance. But thousands of others remain hidden in cages just like these—waiting to be seen, waiting for help, waiting for a life beyond this cruelty.